Transportation containers for bulk materials



DeC- 18, 1956 c, E. JoHANssoN ET AI. 2,774,515

TRANSPORTATION CONTAINERS ROR BULK MATERIALS Cee/ E. doHeMssQ/v 62.5557'A/OeLE -HTT .v

Dec. 18, 1956 c. E. JoHANssoN ET AL 2,774,515

TRANSPORTATION CONTAINERS FOR BULK MATERIALS Filed July 20, 1955 4Sneets--She ?,"b 2

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TRANSPORTATION CONTATNERSFOR BULK MATERIALS.

4 Sheets-Sheet.

Filed July 20, 1953 Dec. 18, 1956 c E. JoHANssoN ET AL 2,774,515

TRANSPORTATION CONTAINERS FOR BULK MATERIALS 4 Sheets-Shes Filed July20; 1955 TRANSPORTATION CONTAINERS FOR BULK MATERIALS carl E. Johanssonand Albert s. Noble, cleveland, ohio, assignors to The Youngstown SteelDoor Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July20, 1953, Serial No. 368,978

6 Claims. (Cl. 222-185) This invention relates to transportationcontainers for bulk materials and more particularly to containersadapted for the transportation of alkaline and carbide bulk materialswhich'are affected by moisture although obviously not limited to suchmaterials.

7It is an object of this invention to provide containers for thetransportation of bulk materials which shall protect the` materials frommoisture.

It is a further object of this invention to provide containersy for thetransportation of bulk materials which shall protect the materials frommoisture during transportationjand storage and which shall permitcontrolled discharge of the materials.

VA further object is to provide containers for the transportationL ofbulk materials which shall embody closures for bottom discharge openingsformed in the containers adapted to protect the materials from moistureand operable by mechanism of simple construction.

A further object is to provide containers for the transportation of bulkmaterials which shall embody a rotary valve and a hinged door adapted toclose bottom discharge openings formed in the containers so as toprotect the materials from moisture and which shall be supported fromthe sameV shaft whileobeing independently operable from the samelocation.

A further object is to provide containers for the transportation of bulkmaterials which shall embody a rotary valve and a hinged door adapted toclose bottom discharge openings formed inthe containers so as to protectthe materials from moisture and which shall be operable by mechanism soconstructed as to conserve space and be actuated by diterent parts .ofthe same actuating member.

kA further object is to provide containers for the transportation ofbulk materials which shall embody bottom closures for discharge openingsformed in the containers that'include doors loosely hinged adjacent tothe dis- 4 charge openings and operable by means of linkage secured toshafts journalled in the containers wherein the doors shall be securedto the linkage by means permittingadjustment of the doors relative tothe linkage and the' hinge pins so as to insure moisture-tightengagement between the doors and sealing strips fastened to thecontainers around the discharge openings.

Other objects of the invention will become clear as the `descriptionthereof proceeds.

In` the drawings forming part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing aportion of a container embodying the instant invention, the door of theclosure for the discharge opening being shown open in' dot and dashlines.

Fig, 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l.

. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig.-2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the discharge opening and closure thereforshown in open position.

Fig.k 5 isQa plan view of the actuating wrench. i p

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

FFice Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation looking in the direction of the arrows inFig. 3 showing one of the features of the instant invention.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 10 designates as a whole a bulkmaterials container embodying the instant invention. Only the lowerportion of the container is shown, it being understood that the portionof the container above the slope sheets may be rectangular in section tothe top of the container or that this portion may be partly rectangularin section and partly in the form of a truncated pyramid. With eitherconstruction it will be understood that a door or doors are provided inthe top of the container and that these doors when in closed positionwill be sealed in any desired manner so as to exclude the entrance ofmoisture into the container.

In addition to the side sheets 11 and 12 of the container andcorresponding end sheets, one of which is indicated at 13, thercontainerembodies side slope` sheets 14 and 15 and end slope sheets 16 and 17.The slope sheets converge downwardly and are spaced apart at their lowerends to provide a discharge opening 18.

The lower ends of the slope sheets are supported upon and secured to asubstantially rectangular frame 19. The frame 19 embodies side members20 and 21 having upper downwardly converging portions 22 and 23 havingthe same slope as the slope sheets which are supported and securedthereto. Below the portions 22 and 23 the side frame members 20 and 21diverge downwardly as shown at 24 and 25 andA then vertically downwardlyas shown at 26 and 27. The vertical portions 26 and 27 are flangedoutwardly as shown at 28 and 29 in a substantially horizontal plane.

The frame 19 also embodies end frame members 30 and 31 which have upperportions 32 and 33 sloped similarly to the slope sheets which aresecured and supported thereon. From the portions 32 and 33 the end framemembers extend vertically downwardly as shown at 34 and 35 and thenoutwardly to provide horizontal anges 36 and 37 which lie in the sameplane as the flanges 28 and 29 of the side frame members.

Side and end angle members 38, 39, 40 and 41 are secured to the frame 19as by means of welding. The frame 19 is supported, in part at least, bythe base 42 of the container. The base 42 which, as illustrated, isrectangular in outline, is formed of side and end channelshaped members43, 44, 45 and 46 secured together by means of vertical angle cornermembers 47, 48, 49 and 50 and by means of the corner gussets 51, 52, 53and 54. Supporting angle members 55, 56, 57 and 58 extend between andare secured `to these gussets and the angle members 38, 39, 40 and 41which are secured to the frame 19.

In order to provide a moisture-proof closure for the discharge openingof the container and atthe same time provide for controlled discharge ofbulk materials from the container the instant invention utilizes arotary Valve 59 adapted to lie across the discharge opening 18 and ahinged door 60` disposed below the rotary valve and adapted to close theframe 19. The door 60 is loosely hinged upon the frame 19 by means ofhinges 61 and 62. These hinges embody vertical plates 63 and 64 and 65and 66 which extend` between the horizontal ange 28 of the side framemember 20 and the angle member 39 secured to the side frame member 20.Hinge pins 67 and 68 are carried by the vertical plates and are looselyembraced by the eyes 69 and 70 of hinge straps 71 and 71A. As shown moreclearly in Fig. l of the drawings the door 60 when inclosed position andthe frame 19 lie above the lo'wer surface of the base 42 of thecontainer.

The rotary valveV 59 is in the form of a curved plate72 whichis-reinforced by means of plates 73 and 74 welded to the underside ofthe valve.

According to theinstant invention the rotary valve 59 and the` door 60are operable independently of each other rorn `the same location bymeans of the same actuating member. For this accomplishment a shaft isjournalled in the end frame members 30 and 31 and in a plate mem ber76w'elde`d to and extending upwardly from the base 42. Links 77 arefastened upon the shaft 75 substantially midway between the end framingmembers 36 and 31 so as to rotate with the shaft. A curved link 73 ispivotally connected to the upper end of the links 77. By reason of itscurvature as shown in Fig. l of the drawings the link 78 lies below theshaft 75 when the door 60 is in closed position.

As illustrated'the link 78 embodies a plate member 79 to the inner edgeof which a crosswise extending plate member S0 is welded. A boss 81 iswelded to and ex'-v tends downwardly from the lower end of the platemember 80 and abuts the lower edge of the plate member 79- of the curvedlink. The curved link 78 may, of course, be formed as a casting ifdesired.

The boss 81 is internally threaded and is adapted to receive theexternally threaded shank 82 which extends from a boss 83 pivotallysecured substantially to the center of the door by means of a pin 84carried by the plates 85 and 86 which are secured to the inner face ofthe door as -by means of welding.-

A sleeve 87 is mounted upon'the operating end of the shaft 75 so as tobe rotatable relative'to the shaft about the axis of the shaft. Acylindrical extension 88 is fastened upon the end of the sleeve 87 as bymeans of a set screw 89. The extension 88 is journalled as shown in Fig.2 of the drawings in the plate member 76 secured to the 4basef' of thecontainer. The sleeve 87 is journalled in a bearing 9) secured as bymeans of welding to the end frame member 30. Bushings 91 and 92 aredisposed between the shaft 75 and the sleeve S7 and a bushing 93 isdisposed between the sleeve 87 and the bearing gli. The outer end 94 ofthe bearing 90 is red duced in thickness so as to receive a packing 95which is retained upon the sleeve 87 by means of a gland 96 securedagainst axial movement relative to the sleeve by means of bolts 97 and98 welded to ribs 99 and 100 secured to the end frame member 30. Theinner end 101 of the sleeve 87 is also reduced in thickness as shown inFigs. 2 and 3 of the drawings so as to receive a packing 102 retained inposition by means of a gland 103. This gland is retained againstmovement axially of the shaft 75 by means of bolts 104 and 105 which arefastened in u a plate member 106 secured in turn as by means of weldingto a collar 107 welded upon the inner end of the sleeve 87. The platemember 166 is secured as by means of bolts 108 to the rib 73 of therotary valve 59.

The opposite end of the rotary valve is secured to a sleeve 109, mountedupon the shaft 75 for rotation relative thereto about the axis of theshaft, by means of a plate member 119 welded to the sleeve 169 andsecured to the rib 74- of the rotary valve by means of bolts 111. Abushing .112 is interposed between the shaft 75 and the sleeve 169. Theend of the shaft 75 adjacent to the sleeve 1619 is journalled in abearing 113 secured to the end framing member 31. A bushing 114 isinterposed between the shaft and the bearing member 113.

A Z-shaped clip 115 is secured to the plate member 76 so that theupstanding flange 116 thereof is spaced from the plate member. The spacethus provided is adapted to receive an arm 117 secured as by means ofwelding to the extension 88 mounted upon the outer end of the sleeve 87in order to limit the closing movement of the rotary valve 59. The platemember 76, the upstanding flange 116 of the Z-shaped clip and the arm117 are provided with openings which are alined when the rotary valve isin closed position and through which a locking pin (not shown) mayextend in order to prevent movement of the valve.

The right-hand end of the shaft 75 and the sleeve 87 are readilyaccessible in order to rotate these members and open and close therotary valve 59 and the door 60. For this purpose the indicated end ofthe shaft 75 is provided with opposed flat faces 118 and 119 so as toprovide a deformed end which is adapted to be received within asimilarly shaped opening 120 formed in ,one` end of an actuating wrench121. In order to impart rotation to the sleeve 87' relative to the shaft75 the extension 88 secured to the sleeve is provided with opposed slots122` and 123 which are adapted to receive projecting pins` 124 and 125secured to the opposite end of the wrench 121. By this construction itwill be apparent that the shaft and the sleeve 87 may be operated fromthe same location by means of the same Wrench.

In order to unload the container the door 60 is first opened. This isaccomplished by sliding the first mentioned end of the wrench upon theshaft so that the deformed end thereof lies within the opening 120 inthis end of the wrench. Rotation of the wrench in clockwise directionimparts rotation to the shaft but since adequate clearance is providedbetween the wrench and the extension 88 rotation is not imparted to thesleeve 87. Rotation of the shaft 75 brings about clockwise rotation ofthe arms 77 and through them downward movement of the curved link 79.Since the door 60 is hinged to the link the door'is caused to swingdownwardly about the hinge pins 67 and 68 until it reaches its openposition.

At this time the wrench is removed from the shaft and the opposite endis slid over the end of the shaft so that the pins 121` and 125 enterthe slots 122 and 123 in the extension member 88. The wrench is thenrotated in clockwise direction so as to impart similar rotation to thesleeve 87. During the rotation of the sleeve 87 the shaft remainsstationary since sufficient clearance Ibetween the latter end of thewrench and the shaft is provided.

Rotation of the sleeve `87 imparts rotation in the opening direction tothe -rotary valve 59 through the plates 106 and 111i. This rotation isarrested by the engagement between the rotary valve and the `curved link78 which lies in the path of movement of the valve.

In closing lthe discharge opening the rotary Valve is first returned toits closed position `after which the door is closed. In the closingoperation `of the door the pivotal connection between the curved link 78and the arms 77 passes beyond the vertical plane which includes the axisof rotation of the shaft. This insures tight engagement between the door60 and the sealing strip 126 secured to the frame 19 around the dooropening. Moreover, since the upward pull of the link 78 upon the door issubstantially vertical and occurs substantially at the center of thedoor, and the hinge eyes 69 loosely engage the hinge pins 67 and 68, thepressure of the door against the sealing strip 126 is equalized, therebyinsuring moisture-tight engagement between the door and the sealingstrip.

This engagement is lfurther insured by the described securementof thedoor to the link 78. By virtue thereof the door may be adjusted relativeto the link by removing the pin y84E from the boss 83 and plates 85 1and86, `turning the shank 82 in the boss 81 so as to move the boss 83toward or away from boss 81 as required and then replacing pin 84.

It will be clear from the foregoing that the closure for the ydischargeopening of the container is moisture.- 4tight and at the same timepermits controlled discharge of the materials in the container.

It will be apparent that numerous changes and modilications in thedetails of 'the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art. Itis intended, therefore, that all such modifica-tions and changes becomprehended within this invention which is to be limited only by thescope of the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. A container lfor bulk materials comprising a supporting base, abottom discharge opening", a frame extending around and downwardly belowsaid discharge opening, a shaft journalled in said frame, linkagesecured to and operable by said shaft, a door hingedly mounted upon saidframe below said discharge opening for closing said frame, said doorswinging downwardly when being opened, means connecting said door tosaid linkage, a sleeve journalled in said container and mounted uponsaid shaft for rotation relative thereto about the laxis of said shaft,and a rotary valve for closing said discharge opening, said valve beingsecured to and rotatable with said sleeve, said valve rotatingdownwardly when being opened, said shaft and said sleeve being yoperableindependently of each other to open and close said door and said valve.

2, A container for bulk materials comprising a supporting base, a bottomdischarge opening, a frame extending around and downwardly below saiddischarge opening, a shaft journalled in `said frame, linkage secured toand operable by said shaft, a door loosely hingedly mounted upon saidframe below said discharge opening for closing said frame, said doorswinging downwardly when being opened, means disposed substantially atthe center of said door connecting said door to said linkage, a sleevejournalled in said -container and mounted upon said shaft for rotationrelative thereto about the axis of said shaft, and a rotary valve forclosing said discharge opening, said valve being secured to androtatable with said sleeve, said valve rotating downwardly when beingopened, said shaft and said sleeve being operable independently of eachother to open and close said door and said valve, said means Ibeingadjustable relative to said linkage to insure tight engagement betweensaid door and said frame.

3. A container for bulk materials comprising a supporting base, a bottomdischarge opening, -a frame ex tending around `and downwardly below saiddischarge opening, a shaft journalled in `said frame, linkage secured toand operable by said shaft, a door hingedly mounted upon said framebelow said discharge opening for closing `said frame, said door swingingdownwardly when being opened, means 4for connecting said door to saidlinkage, a sleeve journalled in said container and mounted upon saidshaft for rotation relative Ithereto about the axis of said shaft, and arotary Valve for closing `said discharge opening, said valve beingsecured to and rotatable with said sleeve, -said Valve rotatingdownwardly when being opened, adjacent ends yof said sleeve and shaftbeing spaced apart and having different configurations, said shaft andsaid sleeve being rotatable by .a wrench, one end of ysaid ywrench beingslidably engageable with said end of said shaft and said wrench beingoperable to impart rotation to said shaft independently Iof said sleeve,the opposite end of said wrench being engageable with said end of saidsleeve and said wrench being operable to impart rotation to said sleeveindependently of said shaft.

4. A container for bulk materials comprising a supporting base, a bottomdischarge opening, a frame extending around and downwardly below saiddischarge opening, a shaft journalled in said frame, linkage secured toand operable by said shaft, a door hingedly mounted upon said framebelow said discharge opening for closing said frame, said door swingingdownwardly when being opened, means connecting said door to saidlinkage, a sleeve journalled in said container and mounted upon saidshaft for rotation relative thereto about the axis of said shaft, arotary valve for closing said discharge opening, said valve beingsecured to and rotatable with said sleeve, said valve rotatingdownwardly when being opened, said shaft and said sleeve being operableindependently of each other to open and close said door and said valve,and cooperating members on said sleeve and container for limitingclosing movement of said valve.

5. A container for bulk materials comprising a supporting base, a bottomdischarge opening, a frame extending around and downwardly below saiddischarge opening, a shaft journalled in said frame, linkage secured toand operable by said shaft, a door hingedly mounted upon said framebelow said discharge opening for closing said frame, said door swingingdownwardly when being opened, means connecting said door to saidlinkage, a sleeve journalled in said container and mounted upon saidshaft for rotation relative thereto about the axis of said shaft, and arotary valve for closing said discharge opening, said valve beingsecured to and rotatable with said sleeve, said valve rotatingdownwardly when being opened, said shaft and said sleeve being operableindependently of each other to open and close said door and said valve,said linkage lying in the path of opening movement of said valve whensaid door is open to limit opening movement of said valve.

6, A container for bulk materials comprising a supporting base, a bottomdischarge opening, a frame extending around and downwardly below saiddischarge opening, a shaft journalled in said frame, a door looselyhingedly mounted upon said frame below said discharge opening forclosing said frame, an arm secured to and rotatable with said shaft, alink pivotally secured to said arm, and means pivotally securing saidlink to said door substantially in the center thereof, said link beingcurved so as to extend partly around the underside of said shaft anddispose said means substantially beneath said shaft when said door isclosed, said pivotal securement between said arm and link lying beyondthe vertical plane including the axis of said shaft and center line ofsaid means pivotally securing said link to said door when said door isclosed.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,222,603 Clapper Apr. 17, 1917 1,577,636 Hayes Mar. 23, 1926 1,937,232Kuehling Nov. 28, 1933 2,345,468 Doyle Mar. 28, 1944

